David Sole's England v Scotland preview

20 March 2003 14:12pm

Quite simply, Scotland's meeting with Wales at Murrayfield was a game they had to win and it was pleasing to see them do so. Coming out of the stands after the final whistle in Edinburgh, I expected the Scottish crowd to be positive and encouraged by the 30-22 victory especially considering what had gone before in the RBS 6 Nations, but I found the atmosphere was still fairly flat. I think to most people it was an acceptable result, but probably no more than that.

Steve Hansen's players, in truth, were woeful - the worst Welsh team I have seen in years - and for the first 25 minutes Scotland dominated and bullied their forwards. But having started well, we then sat back and lost our way in a strange second half. To have 40 minutes of rugby with only three points, followed by three tries in injury-time was bizarre.

Wales struggled in the line-out, where Scott Murray was typically assertive. It was not his best performance in a Scotland shirt but he is one of the best jumpers in the RBS 6 Nations and I said before the game that it would have been a mistake to omit him from the squad. Had he not been playing, I think Wales would have been a bit more confident at the line-out.

The worrying thing for me was the extent to which Scotland were unable to handle the pace of the Welsh backline. That is definitely the main strength of Hansen's squad, but England's backs will be better. One break from Kevin Morgan left James McLaren standing and it was alarming to see him break clear with such ease.

It was a Wales team lacking passion and fight, and you can't expect the same against England, who are back to full strength after beating Italy.

My main concern was that Clive Woodward would play Jason Robinson on the wing rather than at full-back, which the English coach has opted to do, and that increases the danger for Scotland. That may sound strange but Josh Lewsey in my opinion is better suited to the number 15 position - unlike Robinson he hits the line at pace and gives England a whole new dimension. Robinson on the other hand is excellent at beating men one-on-one and that's exactly what you want from a winger.

To win at Twickenham, some of the Scottish squad are going to have to play at a level they have never reached before. There are a few experienced players in the side, a few British Lions, but for most it will be a massive test. You never say never but it will probably require a gargantuan Scottish display combined with a poor English one. I just hope lots of Scots have been to the Kirk this week as some divine intervention may well be necessary.

You can read more of David's views on this season's RBS 6 Nations in his column for The Sunday Post.

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